July 2009 Archives

But how are we to deal with error when it rears its ugly head? This is the big question that drives Downes as he quizzes his top notch interviewees. Taking their turns in the hot seat are Carl R. Trueman, Derek Thomas, Iain D. Campbell, Conrad Mbewe, Joel Beeke, Michael Ovey and others. The answers elicited from the contributors evidence a clear grasp of Reformed theology, sound biblical wisdom, and real life experience of handling people who have been in danger of drifting from the gospel. continue

The law of God, as expressed in the Ten Commandments, is one of the greatest gifts ever given to mankind. The Ten Commandments not only serve as a guide for us in the Christian life, but they are a lens through which we view the love, beauty and holiness of our Creator. The Ten Commandments are truly one of the most powerful acts of God's condescending love and self-disclosure. Unfortunately, the Ten Commandments have become a battleground for theological debate and the victim of tortured hermeneutics. In essence, the glory of this gift has too often been shrouded by theological obfuscation. This is why J.V. Fesko's book, The Rule of Love, is so welcome and refreshing. This book will be an aid to the church in properly interpreting and applying God's law in our lives. In this review, I will briefly comment on four outstanding attributes of this commendable work--The Rule of Love is a careful, confessional, concise and Christ-centered book.
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Today I received an e-mail from a friend known to many at First Presbyterian Church, Peter Jones. In it he recalled meeting Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) in the Vatican some twenty years ago. Peter related how he had... continue

The story of Shakespeare and the Bible is partly the story of Protestant English Bible translation in the sixteenth century. Shakespeare was the beneficiary of a movement in which English Reformers poured their energies into translating the Bible. In fact, English Bible translation in the sixteenth century galvanized a society in a manner that invites comparison with the building of cathedrals in the Catholic Middle Ages. The Protestant Reformation also created an edifice--an edifice of the Word. continue

There are few things as refreshing as a large glass of pure orange juice. However if you forget to obey the advice on the carton - best drunk shaken - the experience is rather less than it could be. Without a vigorous shake, one pours only a disappointing glass of orange-tinted water. continue

Years ago, I tried (and by general consent failed) to develop as my party trick an impersonation of the Hollywood actor, Christopher Walken. When I donned his identity, I just said the one line: "I'm going to hurt you." continue

This passage began with a call to consider the work of God. As we contemplate the way that he works in the world, he teaches us the right way to live. We learn to praise God for prosperity and trust God through adversity. We learn to live a God-fearing life that is free from wickedness and self-righteousness. continue

We exist to call the Church, amidst a dying culture, to repent of its worldliness, to recover and confess the truth of God’s Word as did the reformers, and to see that truth embodied in doctrine, worship, and life.